Latest entries
Hayden's journey

Hayden’s journey

When 4 year old Hayden complained of a tummy ache, his mother, Lizzie, shrugged it off, thinking he was trying to trick her into a later bedtime. But when it continued, Lizzie grew suspicious that it might be something more serious.
Balancing Act

Balancing Act

As a parent I take the job of raising my children seriously. There is no shortage of teachable moments. I try to take advantage of them. Usually I impart some wisdom to my children. There must be a balance, though, between what I teach them and what they learn on their own. There was an...
Meeting Jennifer and Abigail

Meeting Jennifer and Abigail

Elyse Menger spent time as an intern at Cook Children's. The TCU grad wondered if she would "experience one of those stories" that would make her time here special. But that was all before she met Jennifer and her baby Abigail.
Talking to parents about an overweight child

Talking to parents about an overweight child

Your Kid is Fat. Contained within that four word title is a lot of emotional dynamite. And whether to use it – or not  – to describe an obese child has become a controversial topic within the medical profession. Let’s begin with perspective: Obesity threatens the health of all people, both young and old. Obstructive...
Soccer Madness

Soccer Madness

In 2006, I became a soccer mom. At first it was just a once a week practice and then a game on the weekend, but that has given way to a more intense schedule. All three of my children play, one plays on a select team. He practices twice a week and has games on...
The search for a good book

The search for a good book

Opening a book means more than the beginning of an adventure for your child. It creates an opportunity to expand his or her reading level. When trying to find a book that your child will enjoy, use a few of these helpful suggestions in your search: Consider the types of television shows your child enjoys...
Never Leave Your Child Alone In A Car

Never Leave Your Child Alone In A Car

This is a serious public health issue that is totally preventable when caregivers realize it CAN happen to them. Texas leads the nation in child heat-related car deaths. Parents may mistakenly think they can safely leave a child in a vehicle for a “quick” errand. Temperatures inside the car can be 20 or more degrees...
Gluten free diets really are about health

Gluten free diets really are about health

A few years ago, you may not have heard or known of the word “gluten,” but nowadays it is all over the media. Most recently, Miley Cyrus has denied rumors of an eating disorder, tweeting “For everyone calling me anorexic I have a gluten and lactose allergy. It’s not about weight it’s about health.” So,...
The driver’s text

The driver’s text

Mary Bell attends TCU and is an intern at Cook Children's. We asked her to write a blog about a recent study on texting and driving. "More than likely, you’ve been that driver who has to honk at me because I’m looking at my phone while sitting at a green light. I’m guilty of driving...
Earth Work

Earth Work

Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day. Unlike the recently celebrated Easter or upcoming Memorial Day, it may go by largely unnoticed. Frequently when people think of this day, they may think Tree-Hugger-Granola-eating-Vegetarian. Or the conversation may turn to the political hot-button issue of climate change/global warming. Whether you agree or disagree with the issue is...
‘I Wouldn’t Change a Thing, Not Even ONE Chromosome!’

‘I Wouldn’t Change a Thing, Not Even ONE Chromosome!’

It was my labor that put William into pulmonary hypertension. He entered this world at 3-weeks to-the-day early at a whopping 7 pounds, 9 ounces and 20.5 inches long. Unbeknownst to me, this would be my FIRST blessing of having a child with Down syndrome.
Catching up with David, Toby & Safety Bear

Catching up with David, Toby & Safety Bear

It’s time for an update from our friends Toby Tull, David Aycock and our very own Safety Bear. David and Toby established Global Encounter and are traveling through 26 countries in 12 months. They are traveling with Safety Bear and sharing their adventures with us. Today, we have an email from Safety Bear and a...